Muncie Is Kicked off Chargers by Spanos, Reportedly for Refusing to Take Drug Tests

San Diego Chargers owner Alex Spanos, disturbed by reports that Chuck Muncie failed provisions of his drug rehabilitation program, said Thursday he has kicked the running back off the team.

"Chuck Muncie has been an outstanding football player for the Chargers, but we don't believe it is in our best interest for Chuck to continue as a member of our organization," Spanos said in a statement read by a Charger spokesman.

Spanos took action after reportedly learning from National Football League officials that Muncie had not satisfactorily complied with a league-ordered drug therapy program. Although he has not tested positive for drugs in recent examinations, Muncie reportedly refused to take some of the required tests.

Muncie, a former All-Pro, was suspended last November by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle.

The San Diego Union reported that Rozelle will order Muncie to return to an Arizona rehabilitation center for at least 60 days of inpatient treatment and evaluation. Failure to report to the Sedona Villa facility, where the nine-year pro from Califronia underwent a month of treatment last fall, would result in an indefinite extension of his NFL suspension, the newspaper said.

An NFL spokesman, however, said in New York that Rozelle was awaiting more information from doctors involved in the case and that no decision has been made on Muncie's status.